Cultural capital: a Liverpool city break

Liverpool is the European Capital of Culture in 2008 and Merseysiders have planned a host of activities and attractions to wow visitors. Unsurprisingly, the Beatles legend is a major focus of the celebrations and there's never been a better time to take a magical mystery tour to Liverpool.

To get your head around the history of this fascinating city the Merseyside Maritime Museum has a special exhibition covering 800 years since the settlement of Liverpool.

Interactive displays show how Liverpool developed from a tiny fishing village to become the second city in the Victorian empire. This exhibition will run from July 28th to September 27th.

The city waterfront has been included in Unesco's list of world heritage sites.

Liverpool has traditionally been the capital of pop music and the legacy of the Beatles continues to draw fans to the city.

In 2008 there will be two 'Beatlemania' highlights. Firstly, the once-in-a-lifetime concert headlined by Sir Paul McCartney on June 1st, when a crowd of 35,000 will rock Anfield football stadium as artists from around the world perform at the Liverpool Sound concert.

Then Beatles nostalgia will climax with International Beatles Week 2008 from August 20th to 26th.

Beatles nostalgia will climax with International Beatles Week 2008 from August 20th to 26th.

Over 200 bands are to participate and Liverpool will host art exhibitions, conventions, flea markets and even a Beatles auction in a celebration of all things Fab Four.

The August bank holiday will also feature the annual Matthew Street music festival, which kicks off on August 23rd.

The best way to experience all of the Beatles Liverpool is by jumping aboard the Magical Mystery Tour Bus, which is a replica of the bus used by the band in the 1967 film.

Stopping at the childhood homes, schools and places that inspired some of the most famous songs in history, including Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, the tour runs for two hours every day.

Door2Tour.com is also offering discovery tours of famous landmarks and childhood memories in the birthplace of the Beatles.

Another important Liverpool experience is a visit to the famous football ground of Anfield. On a Door2Tour.com guided tour you can see behind the scenes at the stadium, including the players' tunnel and changing rooms.

Comedy fans will know that the Liverpool Comedy Festival attracts some of the best talent in the world and this year will be no exception between May 28th and June 8th.

As well as presenting the best in stand-up comedy, the festival celebrates Liverpool's unique comedy and wit through events such as Drink-Up, Stand Up - a pub crawl with comedians and Bus Stop, Stand Up - a bus ride with comedians.

A number of other big events are being held in Liverpool this year. The MTV Europe music awards, the Turner Prize for modern art and the BBC Electric Proms music festival will all take place in the city.

Plan a city break to Liverpool this summer and see the website for more information.